Risk Factors

Symptoms

A penetrating brain injury is very serious and can lead to death. Gunshot wounds to the head are often fatal. The symptoms, though, vary depending on what caused the injury and how severe it is. Symptoms may include:

Treatment

The treatment plan depends on a number of factors, including the:

Severity of the injury

Areas of the brain that were damaged

Symptoms

Initial Treatment

The hospital staff will first attempt to stabilize life. If there is bleeding, steps will be taken to stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. This may include doing emergency surgery. To help the person breathe, a tube may be placed down the throat and into the lungs. Also, fluids and blood will be given to keep the blood pressure stable.

Surgery

Depending on the injury, a neurosurgeon (a doctor that specializes in brain and spinal cord surgery) may need to:

Remove skull fragments that broke off during the injury—A bullet or other object may also need to be removed.

Remove part of the skull (decompressive craniectomy)—The brain often expands and swells after a severe injury. Removing a part of the skull gives the brain room to expand.

Make burr holes in the scalp and skull to drain clotting blood from a
hematoma

Place a catheter into the brain to drain cerebrospinal fluid

The doctor may also place monitoring devices in the brain to check the:

Pressure in the brain

Temperature of the brain and the oxygen levels

Medication

Seizures may occur after a traumatic brain injury. Because of this, the doctor may give anti-seizure medications. Strong pain relievers, like opioids, may be given through an IV.

Rehabilitation

After the condition has improved, the doctors will create a rehabilitation program that may include working with:

A physical therapist

An occupational therapist

A doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabilitation

A neurologist

A psychologist

The goal is to help the person regain as much functioning as possible.

Prevention

Here are ways to prevent this type of trauma to your brain:

Reduce the risk of gun accidents by:

Keeping guns unloaded and in a locked cabinet or safe

Storing ammunition in a separate location that is also locked

Reduce the risk of falls, especially if you are elderly, by:

Using handrails when walking up and down stairs

Using grab bars in the bathroom and placing non-slip mats in the bathroom

Reduce the risk of motor vehicle accidents by:

Not drinking and driving or getting into a vehicle with someone who is under the influence of drugs or alcohol

Obeying speed limits and other driving laws

Using seatbelts and placing children in proper child safety seats

Wearing a helmet when participating in certain sports and when riding on a motorcycle

Avoiding taking medications that make you sleepy, especially when driving

You can also prevent brain injuries by getting help if you are in a violent environment.

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